Which Brands of Gum Use Xylitol? Your Guide to Dental-Friendly Chewing

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Chewing gum containing xylitol can reduce tooth decay by up to 80% when consistently used, according to some studies. This guide explores which brands of gum use xylitol, helping you make informed decisions for your oral health and nutritional diet. You'll learn about both common and specialty brands, and how to spot xylitol on an ingredient list.

Quick Summary

This article provides a detailed list of popular and dental-focused gum brands using xylitol. It explains the oral health benefits of xylitol, offers guidance on how to check for this ingredient on product labels, and includes a crucial warning regarding pet safety. The guide also features a comparison table of several key brands.

Key Points

Check the Ingredients: Not all sugar-free gums contain xylitol; read the label to confirm its presence.
Look for Xylitol First: For maximum dental benefit, choose gums where xylitol is listed as the first ingredient.
Consider Specialty Brands: Brands like Spry, PUR, and Epic Dental offer higher concentrations of 100% xylitol for superior oral health benefits.
Choose Mainstream Options Carefully: Popular brands such as Trident, Orbit, and Ice Breakers often contain xylitol but may mix it with other sweeteners.
Protect Your Pets: Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, so keep all xylitol-containing products out of their reach.
Enjoy Oral Health Benefits: Regular use of xylitol gum helps reduce plaque, neutralize acids, and stimulate saliva flow.

What is Xylitol and Why Chew Gum with It?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as the fibrous parts of plants like birch and beech trees. Unlike regular sugar, which feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth, xylitol starves these microorganisms. When bacteria cannot metabolize xylitol, their energy production processes are disrupted, leading to their eventual death. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away food debris and neutralize plaque acids, further aiding in cavity prevention and promoting remineralization of tooth enamel.

Popular Mainstream Brands with Xylitol

Many well-known gum manufacturers include xylitol in their sugar-free formulas, though it is often combined with other sweeteners like sorbitol or aspartame. It's crucial to check the ingredient list to determine the amount of xylitol present, as the concentration can vary by brand and even flavor.

Here are some popular brands that typically include xylitol in their sugar-free options:

Trident: Found in most sugar-free varieties, often alongside other sweeteners. Trident Original is noted for using xylitol.
Orbit: A majority of Orbit's sugar-free gums contain xylitol.
Ice Breakers Ice Cubes: Contains a high level of xylitol and offers many fruity and minty flavors.
Mentos Pure Fresh: Certain sugar-free versions of this gum are made with xylitol.
Extra: Some sugar-free flavors may contain xylitol.

Specialty and Dental-Focused Xylitol Gum Brands

For those prioritizing dental health and wanting gum with higher xylitol content, several specialty brands focus on using 100% xylitol as the primary sweetener. These are often found in health food stores or online.

Spry: Marketed for dental defense, Spry uses 100% xylitol and is promoted for reducing the risk of tooth decay.
PUR Gum: This brand is known for being aspartame-free and relies on 100% xylitol for its sweetness, catering to health-conscious consumers.
Xylichew: Sweetened exclusively with birch xylitol, Xylichew is a natural gum choice, free from artificial sweeteners and GMOs.
Epic Dental Gum: Specializing in oral care, Epic Dental offers gum with high levels of xylitol per piece to maximize dental benefits.

How to Verify Xylitol Content

Just because a gum is labeled "sugar-free" doesn't mean it's primarily sweetened with xylitol. Other sugar alcohols like sorbitol or mannitol might be used.

Read the ingredients: Always check the ingredient list on the packaging. Xylitol should be listed as the very first ingredient for the highest concentration and maximum dental benefit.
Look for '-itol': While other sugar alcohols end in '-itol', identifying "xylitol" specifically is the key. Its position at the top of the list indicates a substantial amount.
Don't rely on 'sugar-free' alone: If a gum is sweetened with a mix of ingredients and xylitol is low on the list, the dental health benefits will be minimal compared to a 100% xylitol-sweetened product.

Comparison of Xylitol Gum Brands

This table provides a quick overview of some popular and specialty xylitol gum brands.


Brand	Xylitol Content	Other Sweeteners	Primary Focus	Key Benefit
Trident (Sugar-Free)	Varies, can be lower	Sorbitol, Mannitol, Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Mainstream	Widely available, fresh flavors
Orbit (Sugar-Free)	Varies, can be lower	Sorbitol, Mannitol, Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Sucralose	Mainstream	Fresh breath, classic flavors
Ice Breakers Ice Cubes	Higher concentration	Sorbitol, Maltitol, Aspartame	Mainstream, dental benefits	Intense flavor, cooling crystals
PUR Gum	100% Xylitol	None (aspartame-free)	Health-conscious, dental	Natural, vegan, allergy-friendly
Spry	100% Xylitol	None	Dental Health	High xylitol dose, moisturizes mouth
Epic Dental	100% Xylitol (high per piece)	None	Dental Health	Maximum dental benefit focus

A Crucial Warning: Xylitol is Toxic to Dogs

While xylitol is safe for human consumption, it is extremely dangerous and highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a rapid and severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), liver damage, seizures, and potentially death. Pet owners must keep any xylitol-containing products, including gum, candy, and peanut butter, out of their dog's reach. If you suspect your dog has ingested a product containing xylitol, seek urgent veterinary care immediately.

Conclusion

For those seeking the dental health benefits of xylitol, a wide range of gum brands is available, from familiar mainstream options to specialty brands focused exclusively on oral care. The key is to read the ingredient labels carefully. For optimal benefits, opt for brands like Spry, PUR, Epic Dental, or Xylichew, which use 100% xylitol. For general use, many sugar-free gums from brands like Trident, Orbit, and Ice Breakers can still contribute to oral health. Always prioritize the ingredient list to ensure you're getting the xylitol content you need and remember the critical safety warning for pets.

Note: For more information on the dental benefits of xylitol, consult authoritative sources such as the American Dental Association or academic research from institutions like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many mainstream sugar-free gum brands contain xylitol, including popular options like Trident, Orbit, Ice Breakers Ice Cubes, and some varieties of Mentos and Extra.

Yes, several brands are known for using 100% xylitol as their sole sweetener. These include dental-focused brands like Spry, PUR Gum, Xylichew, and Epic Dental.

To ensure a gum has a high enough concentration of xylitol for significant dental benefits, check the ingredient list. Xylitol should be the first ingredient listed.

No, not all sugar-free gum contains xylitol. Many sugar-free gums use other artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols like sorbitol, aspartame, or mannitol. Always check the ingredients.

In dogs, xylitol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a potent release of insulin. This leads to a severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and potential liver damage, which can be fatal.

The primary oral health benefits include reducing the levels of harmful bacteria that cause cavities, stimulating saliva flow, neutralizing plaque acids, and promoting the remineralization of tooth enamel.

Yes, kids can safely chew xylitol gum. It's a beneficial alternative to sugary gum for promoting good dental health without contributing to cavities.